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Patrick Smith
Visited:
May 2001
Reviewed: Oct 12, 2011
The Makgadikgadi pans are an unearthly, perception-bending stretch of cracked gray flatness like the bottom of an evaporated ocean.
It was here where I got my first wildlife sighting. In the late afternoon I noticed two figures in the distant, quivering heat. When I raised my binoculars, I was astonished to discover these weren't a couple of wayward campers, but two gigantic, shoulder-tall maribou storks foraging along a muddy break in the pan. The sight of the huge birds moved me with a peculiar, disarming force: as if to remind me, suddenly and wholly: this is Africa!
getece
ES
Visited:
April 2007
Reviewed: Oct 25, 2011
65+ years of age
JaimitoFrog
US
Visited:
October 2011
Reviewed: Dec 11, 2011
35-50 years of age
Worth going, but plan your trip carefully.
The places is beautiful, and the scenery depends so much on the season. We visited the place in late Oct, and our planned camping in the salt pans was canceled last minute due to the rain. From what I heard, the wet season is full of migratory animals. In the dry season, you can ride out in the pans on dirt bikes, which we did for a only a few minutes until the rain hit. So go there during either season, but not during the transition season or else your trip may not turn out as planned. The meerkat colony is a must see!
Alan J Castle
Visited:
September 2009
Reviewed: Jan 6, 2012
Stay at Planet Baobab, one of the quirkiest hotels anywhere and take an organised trip on quad bikes out onto the pan, where you will camp overnight sleeping under the stars. There is absolutely nothing there, but never has nothing been so magnificent as sunset or sunrise on this massive pan.
~lustedtowander~
US
Visited:
September 2011
Reviewed: Jan 27, 2012
35-50 years of age
In the dry season, the pans are accessible, but wildlife viewing is difficult. In the wet .... be ready to dig in the mud.
Steefo555S
GB
Visited:
June 2013
Reviewed: Oct 28, 2013
Email Steefo555S | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
5 months in the harsh but beautiful Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
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tend to move off very quickly.Lions can be herd at night and there is a local pride in the area but you have to work hard to see them. Early starts down at the river trying to pick up their trails are your best chance but like any safari it can come down to luck like when we bumped into two cheetah in the middle of the day. Wild dogs have also been seen in the area as well.
I'm not a birder but there is plenty of action down at the river in this department with fish eagles, lappetfaced vultures, tawny eagles and a mix of other birds to be seen.
The road network in Makgadikgadi isn't very extensive and if only here for a short period focusing time around the river would be the best use of effort. If you start heading North after the river or too far South of the Khumaga gate you just end up following the national parks fenceline. If you are staying for longer it might be worthwhile travelling east towards the pans and the open grasslands to get a feel for the harshness of the area. However, if you do this you need to be very self sufficient as there is not a lot of traffic in the park so if you get stuck you need to be able to get yourself out.
I stay in the parks area where the SKL office is but have visited the SKL campsite where they have a very nice ablution block where you can get hot water for showers and wash up after a busy day in the field. The SKL guys are also really useful. If you ever get into difficulty they have a vehicle and are willing to go and help you if you get stuck anywhere.
4wd is a must in the park as it can get quite difficult to drive in the sand.
In terms of weather it was warm back in May during the day and cold in the evening but now in October the temperature has really increased and has got up to 40 degrees celsius during the day and still warm during the nights.
In this park you really have to put the time in and if you are expecting to see lions and cheetah left, right and centre this is maybe not the right park for you. However, when you do get these sightings it makes it much more rewarding. That said I might be biased on this but there is nothing better than seeing a herd of elephants playing in the river in the afternoon and makes for some very scenic views.
Also something I forgot to mention but at the moment at the Khumaga gate because of the Boteti river flowing and vehicles being unable to cross there is now a small car ferry that charges Pula 130 each way which often tourists don't know about.
Sandra Elec
Visited:
February 2012
Reviewed: Oct 30, 2013
Loved this Park
this has been a wonderful travel for me. I really enjoyed it. The scenary was spectacular, the weather awesome. I really loved it.
Gavin Robertson
ZA
Visited:
September 2013
Reviewed: May 13, 2014
Email Gavin Robertson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A tough motorcycle ride that should only be done by experienced off-road riders
In September, the pans are very dry, so the wildlife is scarce. September is still very hot (42 degrees Celsius) and the wind was also very strong. With no trees for shelter, camping on the pans was difficult. The Pans are surrounded by deep soft sand, making it difficult on two wheels.
Camping on the open Pans in an awesome experience. You will never feel such solitude when looking across the Pans at absolutely nothing.
Kubu Island with its mystical history is a must see
Jennifer Baird
CA
Visited:
September 2013
Reviewed: Jun 14, 2014
Email Jennifer Baird | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Night on the Moon
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last much longer and turn the whole world pink. It feels like you’ve been dropped into a sci-fi movie. I found myself whispering – not wanting to disturb the surreal quality of the experience.
MIGUEL
PT
Visited:
April 2015
Reviewed: Jul 10, 2015
Email MIGUEL | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Nice detour/side-visit between Chobe and Okavango. Not as great as those but still good for a sunset drive into the pans. May be different (much better) in low (water) season.